Preondactylidae

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The Preondactylidae are primitive pterosaurs forming a basal group that predates the Rhamphorhynchoid form.  They have single cusped teeth. The first find was made in 1978 from the Zorzino Limestone near Endenna, about 6 miles from Cene in Italy.

Holotype: A near complete impression of the skeleton saved by the fossil collector Nando Buffarini. (Wild R., 1984)

The name Preondactylus translates as Preone Finger, as the fossils were found in the Preone Valley

At present (2010) this family has the oldest known fossil of a pterosaur, being over 220 million years old.

 

 

Preondactylus buffarinii
Preondactylus sp. 
Italy